Current News
NYSILC's November 2025 Full Council Meeting
NYSILC’s next Full Council Meeting will take place on Friday, November 21st, 2025, at the Albany Wolf Road Marriott from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. The meeting will be held in person at the Marriott with remote participation via Zoom will be offered.
The meeting is open to the public, but due to security concerns using online video conferencing, we request that any members of the public who would like to participate virtually email us at
Additionally, please let us know by November 17th if you need an interpreter and/or captioner during the meeting by emailing us at
The agenda for the meeting will be available on the calendar/event webpage, which can be found here: https://nysilc.org/calendar/nysilcs-november-full-council-meeting
We look forward to having you join us either in person or virtually. Thank you!
Information and Resources for SNAP Recipients in New York State
How will the Federal Government shutdown affect November SNAP Benefits?
On October 10, 2025, the federal government warned that there may not be enough funding to pay November SNAP benefits if the appropriation lapse continues past November 1st. This means the federal government might not be able to cover the cost of SNAP benefits for the month of November.
On October 29, Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency in New York State and is allocating funds to support food banks, soup kitchens, and more outlets trying to help families get emergency food.
What to do if you currently receive SNAP:
You will be notified about the status of your November SNAP benefits by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) through the OTDA website, NYC ACCESS HRA, myBenefits, the ebtEDGE app, and by text.
To find help getting food, contact your local Independent Living Center and/or visit:
Find Your Regional Food Bank: locate the regional food bank and Emergency Food Relief Organizations (EFRO) in your area.
The Food Pantries Food Connect Map: find local food pantries, community meals, mobile food resources and more.
Resources for Working Families: discover nutrition programs and resources that can help you feed your family.
Feeding America: Enter a zip code to find a local food bank from the vast Feeding America network of local partners.
Foodfinder: The nationwide free-to-use resource and nonprofit helps connect people in need to nearby food pantries across the U.S.
Freedge: This nonprofit sharing resource points to a network of community refrigerators stocked and cared for by communities that are available 24/7 to anyone.
211 has the most up-to-date information about local assistance that may be available to you. Simply call 211 from a cell phone or landline to speak with a live, highly trained service professional. If you prefer to text or chat online, you can search your local 211 online database too.
How to help people losing SNAP benefits:
Support the Feeding America network or your local food pantry/kitchen. You can also contact your members of Congress to advocate for SNAP policies, help run a food drive, or support organizations that fight hunger and provide food assistance.
NYSILC Submits Formal Letter to Governor Kathy Hochul about Medical Aid in Dying Act
Today, NYSILC submitted a formal letter [read here] to Governor Kathy Hochul expressing serious concerns about the proposed “Medical Aid in Dying Act” (A.136/S.138). The legalization of physician-assisted suicide poses significant risks to people with disabilities, older adults, and other marginalized groups. NYSILC is concerned with the lack of adequate safeguards, the potential for abuse, and the influence of ableist bias in medical decision-making.
New York should be investing in quality palliative care, accessible services, and mental health support, not making suicide more accessible for people facing the challenges of serious illness and disability. For all these reasons, NYSILC strongly urges Governor Hochul to stand with members of the disabled community in affirming that all lives—regardless of ability or diagnosis—are valuable, dignified, and worthy of protection.
NYSILC's September 2025 Full Council Meeting
NYSILC’s next Full Council Meeting will take place on Friday, September 26th, 2025, at the Albany Wolf Road Marriott from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. The meeting will be held in person at the Marriott with remote participation via Zoom will be offered.
The meeting is open to the public, but due to security concerns using online video conferencing, we request that any members of the public who would like to participate virtually email us at
Additionally, please let us know by September 22nd if you need an interpreter and/or captioner during the meeting by emailing us at
The agenda for the meeting will be available on the calendar/event webpage, which can be found here: https://nysilc.org/calendar/nysilcs-september-full-council-meeting
We look forward to having you join us either in person or virtually. Thank you!
A Welcome Letter from NYSILC's New Executive Director
It is an honor and a privilege to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC).
Prior to my role with NYSILC, I served with the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS), Consumer Directed Action of New York, and the Alliance to Protect Home Care for 13 years, most recently as Director of Operations. In this capacity, I worked with consumers and other stakeholders to expand and protect community-based services through grassroots and state level lobbying, coalition building, and education. I also developed and oversaw a statewide peer mentoring program that successfully served thousands of consumers and personal assistants.
My lived experience is that of a transracial adoptee with an invisible disability. Thanks to the support of peers in my community, I learned to advocate – for myself, as well as for others. I credit much of my personal and professional growth to the availability of these peer-led spaces.
I am excited to work closely with the Council and our stakeholder network to continue learning and to further its goals of empowerment, advocacy, and leadership across the disability community.
--Laura Cardwell
In Memory of Denise DiNoto
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Denise DiNoto, who dedicated a year of her beautiful life to serving as Executive Director of the New York State Independent Living Council, advancing our mission and inspiring countless lives. Prior to NYSILC she served as Program Manager for the Department of Health’s Disability & Health program and worked for 10 years at Consumer Directed Choices as an outreach specialist. In 2017, Denise received the Beacon Leadership Award from the Independent Living Center of Hudson Valley for lifetime efforts advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
Denise found joy in life - she savored the company of her friends and family, traveled, and found delight in service to others. She was a stalwart advocate, telling her personal story with openness and intention to teach others about the injustices disabled people face and advance disability rights. She described herself as, “Advocate, Rotarian, Writer & Speaker who happens to be a chick in a chair.” She was known for reminding the world that she was “too sexy for a nursing home.” The Council had the privilege of knowing her. Denise will be missed and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the community she cherished.
